In the 12-year period of 2005 through 2016, canines killed 392 Americans. Pit bulls contributed to 65% (254) of these deaths. Combined, pit bulls and rottweilers contributed to 76% of the total recorded deaths. | More »

Tuesday, March 11, 2008

South Toledo Woman Mauled by Pit Bulls Faces ArrestUPDATE 03/11/08: Toledo police issued an arrest warrant Sunday for a South Toledo woman who was mauled by her pit bulls, charging her with failing to restrain a vicious dog. Natalie Rosas, 21, of 661 Lorain St., was charged with failure to confine and restrain a vicious dog, a fourth-degree felony. If convicted, she faces up to 18 months in prison and a $5,000 fine.

Ms. Rosas was in fair condition last night in St. Vincent Mercy Medical Center, a nursing supervisor said. Police said she had injuries to her arm and leg. She will be arrested upon her release from the hospital, police said.

03/09/08: Woman in Serious ConditionLucas County, OH - In a developing case, Natalie M. Rosas was mauled by pit bulls yesterday inside a South Toledo house where seven dogs -- three adults and four puppies -- apparently were being kept.

The attack occurred inside 661 Lorain Street sometime before Lucas County Dog Warden, Tom Skeldon, was notified at 5:40 p.m. The three adult dogs, two males and one female, were believed to have been fighting both inside the house and outdoors, on Lorain Street itself.

Ms. Rosas may have been trying to separate the three adult dogs, each of which had fresh wounds. The puppies, each about a month old, were not believed to have been involved in the attack. Skeldon sedated the three adult pit bulls with tranquilizers fired from his gun.

Toledo has an ordinance that automatically deems pit bulls as "vicious," and limits households to one pit bull. None of the confiscated dogs were licensed, nor is it clear who the owners are. Skeldon would like a city ordinance requiring all pit bulls over the age of 6 months to be spayed or neutered as well.

In December, former Toledoan Paul Tellings asked the U.S. Supreme Court to hear his challenge against the city's pit bull ordinance, on the grounds it is unconstitutional. The U.S Supreme Court denied his request.